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Mouth Injury

Stop Any Bleeding:
- For bleeding of the inner lip or tissue that connects it to the gum, press the bleeding site against the teeth or jaw for 10 minutes.
- Once bleeding from inside the lip stops, don't pull the lip out again to look at it (reason: the bleeding will start up again).
- For bleeding from the tongue, squeeze or press the bleeding site with a sterile gauze or piece of clean cloth for 10 minutes.
Local Cold: Put a piece of ice or Popsicle on the area that was injured for 20 minutes.
Pain Medicine:
- If there is pain, give acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
- See dosage chart.
- Ask your pharmacist to recommend a pediatric brand containing either of these ingredients.
Soft Diet: Offer a soft diet. Avoid any salty or citrus foods that might sting. Rinse the wound with warm water immediately after meals.
Expected Course: Small cuts and scrapes inside the mouth heal up in 3 or 4 days. Infections of mouth injuries are rare.
IF your child becomes worse: Review Should I Call? recommendations.